"My wife and I really wanted to thank you for the hospitality you extended us when we visited Planes of Fame. Seeing the SBD, Navion, Val and Bf-109 (HA-1112) up close was a treat, but even more so listening to your experiences. We have visited Planes of Fame before, but that day will always stand out as memorable."

Doug & Maricel R., North Vancouver, B.C.

Stearman Model 75

Truly an American icon, the Stearman PT-17 is one of the most recognizable pre-WWII Training Aircraft. Of the more than 10,000 models and variants built by Stearman and Boeing, over 1,000 are still flying. Conceived by the Stearman aircraft company in 1933 (which was bought by Boeing in 1934), the Model 75 was a private venture which soon caught the attention of first the Navy (who gave the airplane the designation N2S) and then the Army. From the 26 airframes purchased in 1936 to the 3,519 delivered in 1940, this venerable aircraft served as the primary flight trainer for a generation of US military pilots.

Constructed of fabric-covered wood-framed wings and a sturdy fabric-covered steel tube fuselage, the "stearman," as it was commonly known, was built in three major variants: the PT-13 (with a Lycoming R-680 engine), the PT-17 (the most common variant, with a Continental R-670 engine) and the PT-18 (of which only 150 were built, with a Jacobs R-755 engine).

The two-place aircraft is easy to fly, making it an ideal trainer. After seven decades, the large number of Stearmans still in use are much loved by their owners and pilots.

Planes of Fame Air Museum has three Stearmans, and all are airworthy. Our red Stearman, tail number N61445, has been featured in several Hollywood movies such as Pearl Harbor and The Kid.